Policy Numbering

The Policy Numbering configuration allows detailed policy identification numbers to be produced from a mix of static components, automatic counters, and fields from the submission workflow.  The system can be used to generate policy numbers that match existing and new numbering procedures within your organization.

With the master cover selected, click the Policy Numbering item in the Screens widget.  For instructions on finding and viewing a master cover, see the section on Viewing and Modifying a Master Cover.

Product

Identifies the product associated with the master cover.

Status

Identifies the current status of the master cover.

Select the Source of the policy numbers.

Automatic

When a policy is bound, a policy number is generated sequentially by the system.  This can be configured with optional settings for prefixes, suffixes, and separators.

From a Field

On binding a new business or renewal transaction, the entire policy number is taken from a field in the submission workflow.

The Prefix panel is available when Automatic is selected as the Source.  The Prefix begins every policy number under this master cover.

Source

Determines what type of prefix is applied.

  • Static Text

The prefix is a string of text entered into the field below.

  • From a Field

The prefix is taken from a field in the submission workflow.

Static Text

This field is available when Static Text is selected as the Source.  Enter the prefix text.

Field

This field is available when From a Field is selected as the Source.  Select the field from the workflow that contains the prefix text.  Only fields that can logically contain a single suitable value are available.  Calculated fields are permitted.

Separator

Select a character to be inserted between the prefix and the sequence number, or select None to not include a separator.

Policy Renewal

Select how the policy numbering is to be handled for renewals.

  • Copy from Previous Term

Uses the same prefix from the previous term policy number.

  • Generate New

A new prefix is generated using the settings in this panel.

Tip: To leave out the prefix entirely, select Static Text as the Source and leave the Static Text field blank.  Without a prefix, the Separator is also left out.  (These are the default settings)

When a new policy is bound, a sequential number is assigned.  This number is incremented by 1 for each new policy, and possibly for renewals, depending on settings.

Next Sequence Number

Enter the number to be assigned to the next live policy bound under this master cover.  The number is incremented with each bound policy, and this field is automatically updated to show the next number to be assigned.

 

When Source is set to Automatic, the sequence number is used as the basis or the Policy Number.  The other settings in this panel control how the number is formatted and used, and the settings in the Prefix and Suffix panels can be used to add additional information.

 

When Source is set to From a Field, the sequence number is maintained in the background and incremented whenever a new policy is bound.  This number can be used in a calculated field to produce specific policy numbers, using options such as a calculated value or a table lookup.

 

Note: The Next Sequence Number is only used when the master cover is in Live mode.  When the master cover is in Test mode, any bound submissions use an internal sequential number.  Any defined prefixes, suffixes, or zero padding are applied to this internal number.

Zero Padding

Available when Automatic is selected as the Source.  Adds leading zeros to the sequence number to bring it to a set length.  If unchecked, the entire policy number will gradually increase in length as more policies are booked.

Length of Sequence Number

Available when Automatic is selected as the Source.  This field is available when Zero Padding is checked.  Enter the required length of the sequence number.  Leading zeros are added to the sequence number to bring it to this length.  The minimum length is 2, and the maximum length is 20.

 

Note: The Sequence Number does not reset to zero when the selected length reaches its maximum value.  The length is extended to continue counting in sequence.

For example, if Zero Padding is checked and the Length of Sequence Number is set to 6, the thousandth policy is numbered 001000.

Once the 999999th policy has been bound, the next policy increases the length to 7 with policy number 1000000.

Policy Renewal

Available when Automatic is selected as the Source.  Select how the policy numbering is to be handled for renewals.

  • Copy from Previous Term

Uses the same number from the previous term policy number.

  • Generate New

A new sequence number is generated using the settings in this panel.

Trigger

Available when Automatic is selected as the Source.  A trigger can be selected to control the sequence number.  If the trigger evaluates as true, the number is generated using the settings in this panel.  If the trigger evaluates as false, the number is omitted completely.

 

This applies to New Business and Renewal transactions.  However, if the Policy Renewal option above is set to Copy from Previous Term, the sequence number (or lack thereof) is copied without evaluating the trigger.

The Suffix panel is available when Automatic is selected as the Source.  The Suffix ends every policy number under this master cover.

Source

Determines what type of suffix is applied.

  • Static Text

The suffix is a string of text entered into the field below.

  • From a Field

The suffix is taken from a field in the submission workflow.

Static Text

This field is available when Static Text is selected as the Source.  Enter the suffix text.

Field

This field is available when From a Field is selected as the Source.  Select the field from the workflow that contains the suffix text.  Only fields that can logically contain a single suitable value are available.  Calculated fields are permitted.

Separator

Select a character to be inserted between the suffix and the sequence number, or select None to not include a separator.

Policy Renewal

Select how the policy numbering is to be handled for renewals.

  • Copy from Previous Term

Uses the same suffix from the previous term policy number.

  • Generate New

A new suffix is generated using the settings in this panel.

Tip: To leave out the suffix entirely, select Static Text as the Source and leave the Static Text field blank.  Without a suffix, the Separator is also left out.  (These are the default settings)

Examples:  

With the prefix set as "Pr" (a code for the product), the prefix separator set to "-", the sequence number set as 2507 (picking up from previous business), the suffix set as "SA" (regional notation for South America), and the suffix separator set to "/", the next three bound policies will have the following policy numbers.

Pr-2507/SA

Pr-2508/SA

Pr-2509/SA

With the prefix set as "Bnd" (an abbreviation of "bound"), no prefix separator, the sequence number set as 1 (starting a new line) with leading zeros up to seven digits, and no suffix or separator, the next three bound policies will have the following policy numbers.

Bnd0000001

Bnd0000002

Bnd0000003

With the prefix pulling from a calculated field that identifies the current month and year at the time the policy is bound, the prefix separator set to "-", the sequence number set to 101 with no zero padding, and no suffix or separator, the next three bound policies could have the following policy numbers.

Jan2003-101

Feb2003-102

Apr2004-103

Caution: Older policies may have the full policy number saved as a single value, and not divided as Prefix, Sequence, and Suffix.  This will not be an issue for renewals if all three settings are set to Generate New.  However, if mixing Policy Renewal settings between Copy from Previous Term and Generate New, the system will not be able to divide the old policy number into the three components.  In these instances, the policy numbers must be upgraded.  Please contact your Insurity representative for more information on upgrading existing data.

The Manual Policy Number panel is available when From a Field is selected as the Source.

Field

Select the field from the workflow that contains the policy number.  Only fields that can logically contain a single suitable value are available.  Calculated fields are permitted.